London’s Storied Crystal Palace Football Club To Play Exhibition Match July 16 Opponent To Be Harrisburg City Islanders

The Lancaster Barnstormers minor league baseball team announced today that Clipper Magazine Stadium has been selected to host one of two 2009 exhibition matches to be played in the United States by London, England’s Crystal Palace Football Club. The match will be played Thursday evening, July 16, at 7:05 p.m. against the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League.

“We are thrilled to be hosting such a historic event for Lancaster County,” said Barnstormers General Manager Vince Bulik. “We pride ourselves in providing the ultimate family entertainment experience. Over the past four years we’ve hosted concerts, numerous youth baseball tournaments, winter ice skating and snow tubing, and countless other community events.”

Said Barnstormers President, Jon Danos, “This world class soccer match will be a highlight for Lancaster and our surrounding communities this summer - not to mention a potentially significant economic boost to the area. We look forward to showcasing the stadium to a new audience for another exciting event.”

The Barnstormers field will undergo quite a transformation to prepare for the soccer match. In order to host the match, the entire infield will be laid with sod. “The Barnstormers will take advantage of this unique configuration by having soccer clinics and other soccer related events scheduled around the professional match”, said Barnstormers General Manager Vince Bulik.

The Harrisburg City Islanders have been a member of the highly regarded United Soccer League for 6 years and in 2007 won the United Soccer League Second Division Championship. The City Islanders also defeated D.C. United in a Lamar Hunt Open Cup match in 2007 that drew over 5,000 fans. City Islanders General Manager Kierstin Rowe said of the upcoming match against Crystal Palace, “We look forward to this great opportunity to face top-notch, international competition and expose a wider audience to our club.”

Tickets to the match will be general admission and priced at $12 for all ages and are available immediately on-line at www.LancasterBarnstormers.com and at the Clipper Magazine Stadium box office. Group rates are available by contacting the Lancaster Barnstormers group sales department at 717-509-4487.

Crystal Palace Football Club (UK) was founded in 1905 in south London and was a founding member of the English Premier League. The Club is currently a member of The Football League Championship, and plays its home matches at historic Selhurst Park which opened in 1924. Crystal Palace UK chairman, Simon Jordan, saw an opportunity not only to develop the footprint of Crystal Palace worldwide, but more specifically to tap into the under-appreciated pool of American soccer talent. This vision has lead to periodic tours of the United States.

The Harrisburg City Islanders are a member of the United Soccer League and also compete in the U.S. Open Cup, a 100-year old event, playing against competition such as the D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, and Los Angeles Galaxy. The team features future stars and elite players from all over the world aspiring to play at the highest level in North America and abroad. .